News
Local

Accused in crime spree granted release

Christopher Drummond, who incurred charges during a crime spree while on drugs, was granted a conditional release during Whitecourt Provincial Court on Jan. 9.

In August 2017, the accused stole a laptop from a local shop and drove away erratically. The vehicle, which had been stolen from Edmonton, had also sideswiped a semi-truck. The driver then took food without paying from a Husky gas station.

Drummond later drove into a fence, broke into another vehicle and then visited several residences before eventually breaking into a dwelling where he was arrested.

His charges include break and enter into a dwelling, theft under $5,000 and possession of stolen property. He has nine charges total and previously pleaded guilty to several of them on Oct. 24.

Crown prosecutor Christine Palmer stated that the Crown was opposed to this release. She noted his criminal record and his past failure to obey court conditions.

"We can't trust him to be in the public at this point in time," Palmer said.

Defence lawyer Crystal McMahon said the facts were admitted, but added that the accused had been in a "drug-induced psychosis" while committing the crime spree. She described how his wife had left him and that he was trying to get professional help at the time of his arrest.